bound 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of boundnext
1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency

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2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something colored outside the bounds of the drawing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bound

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

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bound

3 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to define
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

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2
as in to border
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

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bound

4 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to hop
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

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bound

5 of 5

adjective

ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bound (audio)
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bound
Noun
But the receivers also bear some responsibility; Bell has two drops (per PFF) and stepped out of bounds before catching a long TD pass that was overturned against the Vikings. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Marsh's foot came down just out of bounds, however, and Ohio State hung on to the 19-15 win. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
Another good sign, less than a minute later, was when Kessler got an offensive rebound and bounded back up for a dunk. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Start with focused use cases where the data requirements are understood and basic (static versus real time), the operational consequence is bounded, and measurable value can be demonstrated. — Claudio Laterreur, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The bound paper booklets in which students hand-write their responses to test questions have surged in popularity during the AI explosion. — Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bound
  1. limit
  2. edge
  3. leap
  4. define
  5. border
  6. hop
  7. jump
  8. determined
Noun
  • There’s nothing off limits here, nothing too garish to clash with saxophone and strings.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Existing apartments also would not be subject to the rent limits until five years after they were built.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wear one in beige or white to add a bit of brightness to your look, or black for some edge.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • And the leaps of the people in that book generally came from connecting people more closely to their computers.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
  • That one possession obviously can’t account for 30 additional wins, but Brooklyn doesn’t need a historic leap to benefit from it.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of leap
Verb
  • The strategy defines six goals that are intended to address each of the challenges alongside corresponding objectives to guide NASA’s achievements of the goals.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Mega-cap companies are generally defined as those with market capitalizations exceeding $200 billion.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • An ocean bordered by dozens of countries would be far harder to rename than a gulf or a lake.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The name of the restaurant refers to the enormous river/estuary bordering Argentina.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of border
Verb
  • Sasha awakens to a note that says Morgan has hopped on an earlier flight home.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The bed and passenger sides were cordoned off, but the driver-side door was open so shoppers could hop in and check out the interior.
    — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of hop
Verb
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The bill was renamed in June after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist from India, died while jumping after his mother when their carriage horse bolted on a sightseeing tour in the park.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of jump
Adjective
  • The overwhelming problem of plastic From flax that can be used in clothing and cars to robotic skimmers to stricter laws, determined researchers, activists and volunteers fight an industry intent on making more plastic.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That witness said Foss left a cellphone behind after their interaction, which was later determined to have belonged to Lussier.
    — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

bouncy
bound
boundaries
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Cite this Entry

“Bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bound. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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